CCTV footage has been released as detectives try to track a man in connection with an attempted sexual assault on two underage girls in broad daylight.

The attempted assault happened on Saturday, October 8 2016, at approximately 11.20am, on a 159 bus as it drove through down the Streatham High Road in Lambeth.

The suspect boarded a new Routemaster bus at Brixton Road, outside KFC. He went to the upper deck and sat in front of two girls, aged 13 and 15 years.

He then moved seats so he was across the aisle from them, and performed a sex act on himself and proceeded to attempt to sexually assault the girls.

The girls went to the front of the bus and alerted other passengers. The suspect ran down the back stairs and stepped off.

No arrests have been made.

Your Local Guardian:

CCTV still of the suspect

The suspect is a white man in his early 20s with short, dark hair.

He was wearing a dark puffa-style jacket over a dark jumper with a white 'D' on its front, blue jeans with a skull on them, and black and white trainers.

Detective constable Caroline Else said: “This incident has left the girls traumatised and feeling unsafe getting on buses.

“This was a shocking incident which happened during the day and when many people were in and around the area of where the bus was travelling.

“There is a need to catch the person responsible as soon as possible as his behaviour causes great concern.

“I would urge anyone with any information on who the suspect may be, or anyone with information about the incident, to come forward and help with our investigations.”

Police officers have urged anyone with information to contact DC Else on 07825 256 524, or Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 and through crimestoppers-uk.org.

Alternatively, you can tweet @MetCC with any information.